Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

[Volabama]

I was considering mounting/using a ski pylon, such as Swivel-eze or Overton's, for pulling inflatables. I thought this would raise the rope higher and help get on plane faster and pull easier.

However, I noticed that most of the pylons say "Not recommended for pulling inflatables", such as in this Overton's ad:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...D=1006&i=18746&pdesc=Adjustable_Pro_Ski_Pylon

If it will pull a skier or wake board, why not an inflatable?

 

[82 Galaxie colorado]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables

Hello,
I pull my family all the time on a pylon. I never have problems.

 

[Volabama]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

And here's the quote from the Swivel-eze site:

"DO NOT use Ski Pylons to pull any recreational equipment that is tied to the tow rope such as water tubes, aquaplanes, wakeboards, etc. "

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/produc...Products&typename=Ski+Tow&headername=SwivlEze

I just don't understand. That would only leave skis?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

Tubes exert quite a bit more strain on the pylon than a skier does.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

If the inflatable is a rib and the pilon is bolted onto the solid ridgit floor then it is fine, but not if it is a full inflatable ....

 

[Dienewk]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

If the inflatable is a rib and the pilon is bolted onto the solid ridgit floor then it is fine, but not if it is a full inflatable ....

can some one elaborate on this a but more? like what is a rib tube and what is not?

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

Well, The previous post is refering to a rigid bottom inflatable (RIB) as opposed to a soft bottom inflatable (SIB). It is hard to put a pylon in most inflatables. However, some sibs also have solid aluminum floors (like my Futura)so it is possible. Many towable tubes have a capacity of more than one and you do have a potential for much greater loads than a skier would exert particularly if a tube with riders would dig in. Many jurisdictions also require a safety release on all towed inflatables of any shape. This truly has more to do with the many unsafe activities engaged in by individuals towing these "toys". The manufacturer wants to avoid liability. The potential to dig in isn't really as big as the possibility of catching air and tossing the riders with a higher attachment point (sounds like fun). It would be bad for a pylon to come loose and strike a rider. For me, the hassle I would get running in an unapproved state mandates I run a bridle off eye bolts in my transom to tow tubes. When we go hydrofoiling it's all about my short pylon bolted into a plate that bolts to short backing plates in my aluminum floor that key into my side rails. The transom has not come off my boat. I am hard pressed to imagine a tube with a single rider exceeding the load we exert hydrofoiling, but towing a tube from your pylon will get you hassled by the authorities.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

And here's the quote from the Swivel-eze site:

"DO NOT use Ski Pylons to pull any recreational equipment that is tied to the tow rope such as water tubes, aquaplanes, wakeboards, etc. "
I just don't understand. That would only leave skis?

my guess: Swivel-eze doesn't want to be a part of that scenario where the rider is at the mercy of the driver.

with skis, the skier can let go

they don't want anything tied to the rope.

same position I would take if I was in that business.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

I was considering mounting/using a ski pylon, such as Swivel-eze or Overton's, for pulling inflatables. I thought this would raise the rope higher and help get on plane faster and pull easier.

Think of that pylon as a lever. The higher the pylon, the bigger the lever that is trying to lift the bow out of the water as you pull the load at the other end of that rope.
Your prop is wanting to go forward and under that big lever and the lever is trying to raise the bow.
Can't possibly help the boat get on plane faster, for that you would want the rope anchor point down as low as possible.

That tall pylon/lever with the toad on the other end is also trying to roll and capsize the boat when the toad swings out to port/starboard.

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

If you look at the link you will see that the post refers to a short pole. Sure, there will be an increase in leverage due to the poles height, but it really isn't excessive compared to eyebolts on the upper portion of your transom. I don't think I would throw a a head high pole on an inflatable unless it was a big one with a bit of displacement. I tow wakeboarders and hydrofoil riders. I have had riders cut wide and throw inverts. The boat is not getting pulled around.

As far as the time it takes to plane, dang, towing anything is never going to help! But the faster a rider is up, the quicker the boat will flatten out and speed up. Our skill at getting up had a bigger influence on that than the leverage of the pole or the flatter angle eyebolt start. It is definitely an easier start with a short pole. I can absolutely say that we have better starts with the short pole and get on a plane quicker because of it. If you don't have the horsepower it just won't work.

The big disadvantage to soft bottom inflatables and towing is top speed. Even with a relatively big outboard the soft hull will generate dramatically increasing drag at higher speeds. I know my outboard would power a hard hull to higher top speed than my Futura with speed tubes. Thats why we don't slalom ski.

I still vote for tubes being pulled with eyebolts on the transom and a quick release. A rider tangled in the line would not be good.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

If you look at the link you will see that the post refers to a short pole. Sure, there will be an increase in leverage due to the poles height, but it really isn't excessive compared to eyebolts on the upper portion of your transom. I don't think I would throw a a head high pole on an inflatable unless it was a big one with a bit of displacement. I tow wakeboarders and hydrofoil riders. I have had riders cut wide and throw inverts. The boat is not getting pulled around.

As far as the time it takes to plane, dang, towing anything is never going to help! But the faster a rider is up, the quicker the boat will flatten out and speed up. Our skill at getting up had a bigger influence on that than the leverage of the pole or the flatter angle eyebolt start. It is definitely an easier start with a short pole. I can absolutely say that we have better starts with the short pole and get on a plane quicker because of it. If you don't have the horsepower it just won't work.

The big disadvantage to soft bottom inflatables and towing is top speed. Even with a relatively big outboard the soft hull will generate dramatically increasing drag at higher speeds. I know my outboard would power a hard hull to higher top speed than my Futura with speed tubes. Thats why we don't slalom ski.

I still vote for tubes being pulled with eyebolts on the transom and a quick release. A rider tangled in the line would not be good.

For the RIB yes, but in reference to the OP question, his link is for a pylon that is 56" above the deck, to me that is not a short pylon but a tall pylon and one heck of a lever. Maybe this one is considered short. I would hate to see the tall version.

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

The 58" measurement refers to the extendable braces that run aft from the center pole. That short pole actually extends to just above the outboard cowling when installed. Hmm, How high is that? There are pylons available that reach overhead. Not that poles are options for everyone, but even a short pole makes getting up so much easier.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

The 58" measurement refers to the extendable braces that run aft from the center pole. That short pole actually extends to just above the outboard cowling when installed. Hmm, How high is that? There are pylons available that reach overhead. Not that poles are options for everyone, but even a short pole makes getting up so much easier.

Go to that link provided by the OP. Then read the questions that have been asked about the pylon. One question is how tall is the pylon, and the answer is posted as 56".

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Using Ski Pylon with Inflatables - Why Not?

Even at 56" that is a short pole. The Eze swivel pole is adjustable in height. Mine is pinned at 36". The biggest issue regarding installation that I see is that many people fail to follow the instructions and install the pole without the proper forward rake. Mounting the pole at a position in the middle of my rear aluminum flooring section (minimize stress on the floor joints) and raking the pole forward as is described in the instructions limited how tall the set up could be without reaching my seating positions. Everyone should do what they feel comfortable with, but a "short" pole just does not lever the boat around as much as you might think.